Wearable camera, in-vehicle communication device, charging device, and communication system

ABSTRACT

A wearable camera includes an image capture device, a processor, and first and second memories. The image capture device images a subject. The first memory at least temporarily stores first communication setting information for communication with an in-vehicle communication device. The second memory stores a program that, when executed by the processor, causes the wearable camera to: perform a communication setting process that establishes a communication connection between the wearable camera and the in-vehicle communication device, delete the first communication setting information from the first memory after a lapse of a certain time from a timer reset, the timer reset occurring in response to establishment of the communication connection between the wearable camera and the in-vehicle communication device, and notify that the first communication setting information is not stored in the first memory, in response to determining that the first communication setting information is not stored in the first memory.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a wearable camera worn or possessed bya user, an in-vehicle communication device placed on a vehicle on whichthe user rides and communicating with the wearable camera, a chargingdevice that charges the wearable camera, a communication systemincluding the wearable camera, the in-vehicle communication device, orthe charging device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, for example, an operation causing a police officer towear or possess a wearable camera during steady patrolling or in anemergency situation (for example, when rushing to a field of incident)has been promoted, in order to efficiently support the works of policeofficers and security guards. Hereinafter, in order to make adescription easier to understand, the work of a police officer isexemplified, but the operation may be applied to the work of a user suchas a security guard rather than a police officer.

The police officer rides on a police vehicle (for example, a patrol car(a so-called police car)) during patrolling or in an emergencysituation. Each police vehicle usually has an in-vehicle camera systemincluding one or more in-vehicle cameras, and an in-vehiclecommunication device that links wireless communication between thein-vehicle camera system and the wearable camera. The in-vehicle camerasystem includes, for example, an in-vehicle camera and an in-vehiclerecorder, and records in the in-vehicle recorder, image data (forexample, an image during patrolling or a situation image of a field ofincident) captured by the in-vehicle camera. Further, if thecommunication between the wearable camera and the in-vehicle camerasystem can be linked by the in-vehicle communication device, since theimage capturing by the wearable camera and the image capturing by thein-vehicle recorder can automatically be performed in synchronizationwith each other and images of a field of incident can be recordeddiversely, for example, the evidence is enhanced and the work efficiencyof a police officer is enhanced for collecting evidence and the like fortrials.

Here, as a technique in the related art in which a wearable camera andan in-vehicle camera system are linked using an in-vehicle personalcomputer (PC) used in a police vehicle, for example, in Japanese PatentUnexamined Publication No. 2016-85581, if a user's login to operate anin-vehicle camera system is authenticated, a PC saves login informationincluding identification information of the user, and in a case wherethe user is logging in the in-vehicle camera system, the PC transfersthe saved login information to the wearable camera so as to copy it.Thus, the relationship among the image captured by the wearable camera,the image captured by the in-vehicle camera system, and the user whocaptures the images is clearly associated.

For example, a police department has two operations with respect topolice vehicles on which police officers ride: an operation in which thepolice vehicles are fixed on a daily basis, and an operation in whichpolice vehicles are changed every day. It is speculated that whichoperation is to be promoted depends on the policy and scale of a policedepartment. For example, in a case where the operation is promoted inwhich police vehicles on which police officers ride are changed everyday, the police officer needs to set up wireless communication betweenthe wearable camera and the above-mentioned in-vehicle communicationdevice each time the police vehicle is changed.

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, a technique is not providedthat easily checks the presence or absence of wireless communicationsetting between the wearable camera used by a police officer and thein-vehicle communication device in a police vehicle on which the policeofficer is supposed to ride, in the wearable camera or the in-vehiclecommunication device, when the police officer rides on another policevehicle different from the police vehicle that the police officer usedthe day before. Further, many police vehicles are parked in the parkinglot in the police department. When the police officer arrives at theparking lot, there is a possibility that wireless communicationconnection is established between the wearable camera and the in-vehiclecommunication device in the police vehicle that the police officer usedthe day before. In this case, wireless communication between thewearable camera used by the police officer and the in-vehiclecommunication device in the police vehicle on which the police officerrides is not linked, and for example, there is a problem that the workof the police officer is hindered such as that image capturing by thewearable camera and image capturing by the in-vehicle recorder cannotautomatically be started in cooperation with each other.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentionedconventional circumstances, an object thereof is to provide a wearablecamera and a communication system, which support periodic execution ofset up of wireless communication with an in-vehicle communication devicemounted on each vehicle on which a user rides, and is able to set upwireless communication with an in-vehicle communication device in avehicle on which the user is supposed to ride, even in a case ofchanging the vehicle on which the user rides, and efficiently supportwork of the user.

The present disclosure provides a wearable camera capable of being wornor possessed by a user, including an capture that images a subject infront of the user, a first communication setter that executes a firstcommunication setting process for communicating with an in-vehiclecommunication device installed in a vehicle on which the user rides, amemory that stores first communication setting information used forcommunication with the in-vehicle communication device, based on thefirst communication setting process; a first communicator that transmitsa captured image of the subject to the in-vehicle communication device,using the first communication setting information stored in the memory,and a first controller that deletes the first communication settinginformation from the memory, after a lapse of a certain time from a lastcommunication time in the first communicator.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to support periodicexecution of set up of wireless communication with an in-vehiclecommunication device mounted on each vehicle on which a user rides, andis able to set up wireless communication with an in-vehiclecommunication device in a vehicle on which the user is supposed to ride,even in a case of changing the vehicle on which the user rides, andefficiently support work of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outline explanatory diagram showing an example of a systemconfiguration of a communication system according to each exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the upper body of apolice officer wearing a wearable camera of each exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an example of a front-side surfaceof a casing of the wearable camera of each exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an example of theinternal configuration of the wearable camera of each exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an outlineof an operation of communication between the wearable camera and acommon trigger box in Exemplary embodiment 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating in detail an example of an operationprocedure of the wearable camera in Exemplary embodiment 1;

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of pairing informationregistered in a case where the wearable camera in each exemplaryembodiment performs BLE communication;

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of pairing informationregistered in a case where the common trigger box in each exemplaryembodiment performs BLE communication;

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an example of communication settinginformation registered in a case where the wearable camera in eachexemplary embodiment performs WLAN communication;

FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating an example of communication settinginformation registered in a case where the common trigger box in eachexemplary embodiment performs WLAN communication;

FIG. 7E is a diagram illustrating an example of communication settinginformation registered in a case where the common trigger box in eachexemplary embodiment performs WLAN communication;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an example of theinternal configuration of the common trigger box in each exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram indicating an issue as the premise ofExemplary embodiment 2;

FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an outlineof an operation of a common trigger box in Exemplary embodiment 2;

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating in detail a first example ofan operation procedure regarding pairing between the wearable camera andthe common trigger box in Exemplary embodiment 2;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of LAN communicationperformed between the wearable camera and the common trigger box througha charging stand in Exemplary embodiment 2;

FIG. 11B is a sequence diagram illustrating in detail a second exampleof an operation procedure regarding pairing between the wearable cameraand the common trigger box in Exemplary embodiment 2;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an outlineof an operation of a common trigger box in Exemplary embodiment 3;

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating in detail an example of anoperation procedure regarding pairing between a wearable camera and acommon trigger box in Exemplary embodiment 3;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an example of theinternal configuration of a charging stand in Exemplary embodiment 4;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating in detail an example of an operationprocedure of the charging stand in Exemplary embodiment 4; and

FIG. 16 is a table illustrating an example of an operation procedure ofthe charging stand illustrated in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments that specifically disclose a wearablecamera, an in-vehicle communication device, a charging device, and acommunication system according to the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings asappropriate. However, detailed description more than necessary may beomitted in some cases. For example, detailed descriptions of alreadywell-known matters and duplicate descriptions for substantially the samecomponents may be omitted in some cases. This is to facilitate theunderstanding of those skilled in the art, by avoiding the followingdescription from being unnecessarily redundant. In addition, theaccompanying drawings and the following description are provided inorder to help those skilled in the art fully understand the presentdisclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject described inclaims.

Exemplary Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an outline explanatory diagram showing an example of a systemconfiguration of communication system 1000 according to each exemplaryembodiment. The communication system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 includes awearable camera 10 that can be worn or possessed by a police officer,various devices disposed in police department PD, various devices usedby the police officer in a field, and various devices used or mountedinside police vehicle 7 (for example, a patrol car (a so-called policecar)). The same is applied herein), and various devices used in anofficer home of a police officer. Wearable camera 10 may belong to anyone of various devices disposed in police department PD, various devicesused by a police officer in a field, various devices used or mountedinside the police vehicle, and various devices used in an officer homeof a police officer.

Examples of the various devices disposed in a police department (PD)include at least back end server 50 (BES), back end streaming server 60(BSS), back end clients (BEC) 70 a and 70 b, wireless local area network(LAN) access point 63, and a gang charger as an example of a chargingdevice that can collectively charge a plurality of wearable cameras, butare not limited thereto.

Examples of various devices used by a police officer in a field includeat least smartphone 40 possessed by a police officer (a tablet terminalis possible), and a wireless LAN access point 45 possessed by a policeofficer, but are not limited thereto. Smartphone 40 and wireless LANaccess point 45 are possessed, for example, within a pocket of a uniformworn by a police officer.

Examples of various devices used or mounted inside police vehicle 7include at least in-vehicle camera system (ICV: in-car video) 30,in-vehicle PC 32, common trigger box 100 (CTB) as an example of anin-vehicle communication device, charging stand 200 as an example of acharging device (Pairing Dock), and rotation warning light PL, but arenot limited thereto.

Examples of the various devices used in an officer home of a policeofficer include at least a cradle for charging wearable camera 10, and ahome router, but are not limited thereto.

In-vehicle camera system 30 includes one or a plurality of in-vehiclecameras 31, in-vehicle PC 32, and in-vehicle recorder 33, and capturesan incident encountered while traveling by police vehicle 7 or asituation during patrolling as images, and records the images. One or aplurality of in-vehicle cameras 31 includes one or a plurality ofcameras, for example, among a camera installed so as to capture an imagethe front of police vehicle 7, and respective cameras installed so as torespectively capture images of the left side, the right side, and therear side of police vehicle 7. In-vehicle PC 32 as an example of anediting device controls the operations of in-vehicle camera 31 andin-vehicle recorder 33, according to the operation of police officer 3.In-vehicle recorder 33 records data of respective images captured by theplurality of in-vehicle cameras 31 in chronological order. In a case ofbeing connected to wearable camera 10 by a universal serial bus (USB),in-vehicle PC 32 can charges wearable camera 10, and acquire data of animage captured by wearable camera 10 through the USB so as to play backthe acquired image in a default application installed in in-vehicle PC32, or add attribute information of the image in the application inresponse to the operation of the police officer.

In-vehicle camera system 30 is connected to common trigger box 100 in awired manner (for example, LAN communication), and performs an operationin response to a command from common trigger box 100 (for example, stopor start of data recording of an image captured by in-vehicle camera 31(that is, recording)). In-vehicle camera system 30 is communicablyconnected to wearable camera 10 through common trigger box 100, andstarts recording in in-vehicle recorder 33 at the same time as a timingat which wearable camera 10 starts capturing. Conversely, recording maybe started in wearable camera 10 at the same time as a timing at whichin-vehicle recorder 33 starts capturing. Further, in-vehicle camerasystem 30 may record the image captured by wearable camera 10 inin-vehicle recorder 33.

Wearable camera 10 is attached or held in the uniform of a policeofficer who is an example of the user, images the situation in front ofthe police officer as a subject, and transmits the data of the imageobtained by the capturing to in -vehicle camera system 30 through commontrigger box 100, starts capturing at the same time by in wearable camera10 and in-vehicle recorder 33, directly transmits the data to back endserver 50 through wireless LAN access point 63, or streams the data toback end streaming server 60 through smartphone 40 or wireless LANaccess point 45, and network NW1 (for example, mobile communicationnetwork or Internet network). In police department PD, wearable camera10 may transmit data of the image obtained by capturing to back endclient 70 b connected by the USB, or back end server 50 connected by theLAN in police department PD. In addition, wearable camera 10 cantransmit data of captured images to back end server 50 by being manuallyplaced on the charging surface of the gang charger.

The subject to be captured by wearable camera 10 or in-vehicle camera 31includes not only people, but also the scene of the field of incident, acrowd gathering near the field (so-called, onlookers), and theatmosphere surrounding the capturing position. Police officer 3 maypossess smartphone 40 or wireless LAN access point 45, as an example ofa wireless terminal capable of communicating with wearable camera 10.

Smartphone 40 has a telephone function and a wireless communicationfunction (for example, a designing function), is used for an emergencycontact from police department 4 or an emergency contact to the policedepartment, and relays data from wearable camera 10 to back endstreaming server 60 in police department PD. In addition, smartphone 40plays back the data of the captured image by wearable camera 10, orperforms editing of adding attribute information (metadata) to the dataof the captured image, in response to an operation of the policeofficer.

Wireless LAN access point 45 relays data from wearable camera 10 to backend streaming server 60 in police department PD. Wireless communication(for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) low energy (BLE) orwireless LAN (WLAN, for example, Wifi (registered trademark)) is usedbetween wearable camera 10 and smartphone 40 or wireless LAN accesspoint 45. In high-speed communication such as when wearable camera 10streams data to back end streaming server 60 through smartphone 40 orwireless LAN access point 45, wireless communication using a wirelessLAN with a higher transmission speed than BLE is used. On the otherhand, when realizing low-speed communication such as editing data suchas incident number of the captured image by wearable camera 10 insmartphone 40, wireless communication using BLE is used.

Back end server 50 is configured with a computer and a storage, andmanages evidence images of an incident. Back end server 50 has an imageanalysis function such as a face recognition function for recognizing aface in an image frame constituting the image captured by, for example,wearable camera 10 or in-vehicle camera 31 and an editing function forediting at least a part of the image through image processing or thelike, in response to a request according to the operation of a user (forexample, an analysis specialist in police department PD) using back endclients 70 a and 70 b. Back end server 50 has a play back function ofplaying back the image captured by, for example, wearable camera 10 orin-vehicle camera 31 and an editing function for editing at least a partof the image through image processing or the like, in response to arequest according to the operation of a user (for example, an analysisspecialist in police department PD) using back end clients 70 a and 70b.

Back end streaming server 60 receives the data of the image streamedfrom wearable camera 10 and transfers it to back end server 50.

Back end clients 70 a and 70 b are configured with, for example, a PC,and have a browser or a dedicated application capable of accessing asuspicious person database (DB, not shown) in back end server 50,searching information concerning criminal cases, and displaying thesearched result on a display device (for example, liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs) provided in back end clients 70 a and 70 b). In thesuspicious person DB, for example, a person who is wanted, a criminal ofthe past or the like is registered in advance in association withinformation (for example, case number) identifying the case. Back endclients 70 a and 70 b can access the sound DB of back end server 50, andcan search for sound information on incidents such as criminals. Backend client 70 may be installed not only inside police department 4 butalso outside police department 4. Further, back end client 70 may beeither a thin client PC or a rich client PC.

Wireless LAN access point 63 is connected to wearable camera 10 througha wireless LAN (WLAN) in a wireless manner, and relays and transfers,for example, the data of the image transmitted from wearable camera 10to back end server 50.

The gang charger enables wearable cameras 10 which are respectively wornor possessed by a plurality of police officers to be placed on apredetermined charging surface, and charges the batteries of respectiveplaced wearable cameras 10. The gang charger also has a function ofperforming wired communication with wearable camera 10 during chargingand transmitting the data of the image stored in wearable camera 10 toback end server 50. Alternatively, wearable camera 10 may directlycommunicate with back end server 50 by a LAN interface (not shown),through the gang charger. In addition, the gang charger is connected ina wired manner to back end client 70 b through a universal serial bus(USB) cable.

Common trigger box 100 is connected to rotation warning light PL, asiren (not shown), in-vehicle camera system 30, charging stand 200respectively in a wired manner (for example, LAN communication), and isalso connectable to wearable camera 10 through charging stand 200 whenwearable camera 10 is connected to charging stand 200. Common triggerbox 100 transmits a control signals to start or stop recording by usingBLE or wireless LAN (WLAN) between a device connected to common triggerbox 100 in a wired or wireless manner (hereinafter, it may be referredto as “CTB connected device”) and wearable camera 10 so as to controlthe start or stop of recording between wearable camera 10 and CTBconnected device in synchronization with each other. Examples of CTBconnected device are rotation warning light PL, siren (not shown),in-vehicle camera system 30, and charging stand 200, which are describedabove.

In a case of being connected to, for example, in-vehicle camera system30 in a wired manner (for example, LAN communication), common triggerbox 100 transmits a control signal to start or stop recording, toin-vehicle camera system 30. Thus, for example, in-vehicle camera system30 starts recording or stops recording of the data of an image capturedby in-vehicle camera 31 to in-vehicle recorder 33, as an operationcorresponding to the control signal from common trigger box 100. Whenacquiring an operation start signal from a device mounted in a policevehicle such as for example, rotation warning light PL or a siren,common trigger box 100 detects the start of use of the device mounted inthe police vehicle, and transmits a control signal to start or stoprecording to wearable camera 10 or in-vehicle camera system 30,connected to common trigger box 100. Thus, wearable camera 10 andin-vehicle camera system 30 starts or stops recording of the data of theimage obtained by capturing, for example, along with the rotation startof rotation warning light PL or the sound output of the siren, as anoperation in response to the control signal from common trigger box 100.

In the case where the connected devices of common trigger box are onlyin-vehicle recorder 33 and wearable camera 10, if one (for example,in-vehicle recorder 33) informs common trigger box 100 that therecording is started or stopped, common trigger box 100 transmits acontrol signal to start or stop recording to the other (for example,wearable camera 10). Thus, common trigger box 100 can start or stoprecording on both in-vehicle recorder 33 and wearable camera 10 almostat the same time.

Charging stand 200 is disposed at, for example, the default position(for example, in the vicinity of the center console) of police vehicle7, and is connected to common trigger box 100 in a wired manner (forexample, Power over Ethernet (PoE) (Registered trademark) using a LANcable). Charging stand 200 has a charging surface for placing wearablecamera 10. In a case where charging stand 200 is connected to commontrigger box 100 in a wired manner (for example, Power over Ethernet(PoE) (Registered trademark) using a LAN cable) and is connected towearable camera 10 by placing wearable camera 10 on the chargingsurface, it is possible to charge the battery of wearable camera 10based on the supply current from common trigger box 100.

It is assumed that a police officer places wearable camera 10 on acradle corresponding to wearable camera 10, for example, when returningan officer home or during vacation. In this case, wearable camera 10 cantransmit the data of the image captured by wearable camera 10 to backend server 50 through the home router connected to the cradle in a wiredmanner (for example, LAN communication) and the network NW 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the upper body of policeofficer 3 wearing wearable camera 10 of each exemplary embodiment.Wearable camera 10 is attached or held at the front of the uniform ofpolice officer 3 so as to be able to image the front of police officer3. Wearable camera 10 may be fixed to the front of the uniform in astate of hanging from the neck with a string. Wearable camera 10 may befixed to the front of the uniform, by a fixture (for example, attachmentclip) attached to the back of casing 10 z (see FIG. 3) of wearablecamera 10 being engaged with a fixture attachment attached to the frontof the uniform.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an example of a front-side surfaceof a casing 10 z of wearable camera 10 of each exemplary embodiment.Recording switch SW1, snapshot switch SW2, and capturing lens 11 z aredisposed on the front-side surface of casing 10 z. Recording switch SW1is used to instruct the start of recording by being pressed for a shorttime, and instruct the stop of recording by being pressed for a longtime (for example, an operation in which the pressed state for threeseconds is continued). Snapshot switch SW2 is used to instruct recordingof a still image captured by capture 11, for example, each time it ispressed. Capturing lens 11 z forms an optical image of the subjectcaptured by wearable camera 10 on the capturing surface of capture 11(see FIG. 4).

Communication mode switch SW3 and attribute information adding switchSW4 are disposed on the side surface of casing 10 z. For example, threeLEDs 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c are disposed on the upper surface of casing 10z. LED 26 a displays the power on/off state of wearable camera 10 andthe state of battery 25 (see FIG. 4). LED 26 b displays the state of thecapturing operation of wearable camera 10. LED 26 c displays the stateof the communication mode of wearable camera 10.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an example of theinternal configuration of wearable camera 10 of each exemplaryembodiment. Wearable camera 10 includes capture 11, general purposeinput/output (GPIO) 12, random access memory (RAM) 13, read only memory(ROM) 14, and storage 15. Wearable camera 10 includes electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) 16, real time clock (RTC) 17, andglobal positioning system (GPS) receptor 18. Wearable camera 10 includesmicro controller unit (MCU) 19, BLE communicator 21A, WLAN communicator21B, USB interface (I/F) 22, contact terminal 23, power supply 24, andbattery 25.

Wearable camera 10 includes recording switch SW1, snapshot switch SW2,communication mode switch SW3, attribute information adding switch SW4,and wireless registration switch SW5.

Wearable camera 10 includes three light emitting diodes (LEDs) 26 a, 26b, and 26 c, vibrator 27, sound output 28, microphone 29A, speaker 29B,and earphone terminal 29C. LEDs 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c, vibrator 27, andsound output 28 function as an example of a notifier notifying the user.

Capture 11 includes capturing lens 11 z (see FIG. 3), and a solid-statecapturing device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) type image sensoror a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) type image sensor.Capture 11 outputs data of the image based on the image of the subjectobtained by capturing to MCU 19.

Detection terminal 23T of contact terminal 23 is a terminal at which avoltage change occurs, in a case where wearable camera 10 is placed(set) on charging stand 200 or gang charger, or it is detached fromcharging stand 200 or gang chaser. Detection terminal 23T of contactterminal 23 is connected to AD converter CV. A signal indicating thevoltage change of detection terminal 23T is converted into a digitalsignal by AD converter CV, and the digital signal is input to MCU 19through I2C20.

GPIO 12 is a parallel interface. GPIO 12 is connected to recordingswitch SW1, snapshot switch SW2, communication mode switch SW3,attribute information adding switch SW4, wireless registration switchSW5, LED 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c, vibrator 27, sound output 28, microphone29A, speaker 29B, and earphone terminal 29C. GPIO 12 inputs and outputssignals between these various electronic components and MCU 19.

Microphone 29A picks up sounds around wearable camera 10, and outputssound data of the picked-up sound to MCU 19 through GPIO 12. Microphone29A may be a built-in microphone housed in casing 10 z of wearablecamera 10 or may be a wireless microphone connected to wearable camera10 in a wireless manner. In the case of a wireless microphone, it ispossible to increase the sound pickup performance by the police officerplacing the wireless microphone in any place.

Sound output 28 outputs a sound signal relating to the operation ofwearable camera 10 according to the instruction of MCU 19. Sound output28 reads sound data having sound of a default message which has beenstored in advance in ROM 14 or the like, and outputs a sound signalbased on the sound data from speaker 29B. Earphone terminal 29C outputsa sound signal output from sound output 28 to the earphone connected toearphone terminal 29C. Speaker 29B receives the sound signal output fromsound output 28 and outputs sound.

AD converter CV is connected to MCU 19 through a communication interfacesuch as inter-integrated circuit (I2C) 20. It is possible to obtain asimilar effect by connecting detection terminal 23T of contact terminal23 to GPIO 12 without passing through AD converter CV.

RAM 13 is, for example, a working memory used in the operation of MCU19. ROM 14 stores in advance a program and data for controlling theexecution of the operation (process) of MCU 19.

Storage 15 as an example of a first memory is configured with, forexample, a storage medium such as a memory card, and starts datarecording (that is, recording) of the image captured by capture 11,based on, for example, an instruction to start recording based on theoperation of police officer 3, or an instruction to start recording fromcommon trigger box 100. Storage 15 constantly pre-buffers and holds thedata of an image for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds)captured by capture 11, and continues constantly accumulating the imagedata up to a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) before fromthe current time. Upon receiving an instruction to start recording,storage 15 starts recording of the image data and continues recordingthe image data until receiving an instruction to stop recording.Further, storage 15 has a setting data file in which resolution upgradeinformation or the like is set. For example, when storage 15 isconfigured with a memory card, it is detachably attached to casing 10 zof wearable camera 10.

EEPROM 16 stores, for example, identification information (for example,a serial number as a camera ID) for identifying wearable camera 10, andvarious types of setting information. RTC 17 counts the current timeinformation and outputs it to MCU 19.

GPS receptor 18 receives satellite signals including the signaltransmission times and position coordinates transmitted from a pluralityof GPS transmitters (for example, four navigation satellites), andoutputs them to MCU 19. MCU 19 calculates the current positioncoordinates of wearable camera 10 and the reception time of thesatellite signal using a plurality of satellite signals. The calculationmay be executed not by MCU 19 but by GPS receptor 18. The reception timeinformation may also be used to correct the system time of wearablecamera 10 (that is, the output of RTC 17). The system time is used forrecording the capturing time of the captured image (including a stillimage and a moving image), and the like.

MCU 19 has a function as a controller of wearable camera 10, andperforms, for example, a control process for integrally controlling theoperation of each unit of wearable camera 10, a data input and outputprocess between respective units of wearable camera 10, a data operation(calculation) process, and a data storage process. MCU 19 operates inaccordance with various programs and data stored in ROM 14. At the timeof operation, MCU 19 uses RAM 13 to obtain current time information fromRTC 17 and obtain current position information from GPS receptor 18.

BLE communicator 21A as an example of the first communicator performswireless communication, with smartphone 40, common trigger box 100, orthe like, using the communication mode of Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) low energy (BLE) which is a communication standard of theshort range wireless communication. BLE is a designation of version 4.0of Bluetooth (registered trademark). Although BLE can communicate withlow power consumption, its communication speed is as low as 100 kbps.

WLAN communicator 21B as an example of a first communicator is connectedto smartphone 40 as the wireless LAN access point using a tetheringfunction, wireless LAN access point 45, wireless LAN access point 63 ofwireless LAN that can be used in police department PD, or the like withthe wireless LAN (that is, WLAN), and performs wireless communicationwith the connection destination. Compared to BLE, the wireless LAN cancommunicate at a high communication speed of several tens to severalhundreds Mbps, but since it is always connected with the wireless LANaccess point, power consumption increases.

Wearable camera 10 may have a configuration (not shown) of acommunicator for performing short-distance wireless communication suchas near field communication (NFC) or wireless communication using amobile circuit network (for example, long term evolution (LTE)), inaddition to BLE communication and WLAN communication.

USB interface 22 is a serial bus, and enables connection with, forexample, in-vehicle PC 32 and back end clients 70 a and 70 b in policedepartment PD.

Contact terminal 23 is a terminal for electrically connecting withcharging stand 200, and is connected to MCU 19 through USB interface 22and also connected to power supply 24. Power supply 24 charges battery25 in response to detection of the connection with charging stand 200 incontact terminal 23. In response to the connection with charging stand200, contact terminal 23 can communicate the data of images read fromstorage 15 by MCU 19 to an external device (for example, common triggerbox 100) connected through charging stand 200.

Detection terminal 23 is provided with, for example, “charging terminalV+” (not shown), “detection terminal 23T”, “data terminals D− and D+”(not shown), and “ground terminal” (not shown). Detection terminal 23Tis a terminal for detecting voltage and voltage change. Data terminalsD− and D+ are terminals for transferring, for example, the data ofimages captured by wearable camera 10 to in-vehicle PC 32 through a USBconnector terminal. Detection terminal 23T of contact terminal 23 isconnected to a communication interface such as I2C20 through ADconverter CV, and the detected voltage value of contact terminal 23 isinput to MCU 19.

If contact terminal 23 and the connector of charging stand 200 areconnected, data communication between wearable camera 10 and an externaldevice (for example, common trigger box 100) becomes possible.

Power supply 24 supplies charging current supplied from an externalpower supply (for example, common trigger box 100, a cigar charger inpolice vehicle 7, or an accessory in police vehicle 7) connected tocharging stand 200 through contact terminal 23 to battery 25 and chargesthe battery 25.

Battery 25 is configured with, for example, a rechargeable secondarybattery, and supplies power to each unit of wearable camera 10.

For example, recording switch SW1 is a push button switch for inputtingan operation instruction of start or stop of recording (capturing of amoving image) by a pressing operation of police officer 3. MCU 19 maystart recording (capturing of a moving image) when recording switch SW1is pressed for a short time, and end the recording when recording switchSW1 is pressed for a long time. In addition, MCU 19 may start recording(capturing of an moving image) when recording switch SW1 is pressed forodd number of times, and end recording when recording switch SW1 ispressed for even number of times.

For example, snapshot switch SW2 is a push button switch for inputtingan operation instruction to capture a still image by a pressingoperation of police officer 3. For example, every time snapshot switchSW2 is pressed, MCU 19 captures the still image when it is pressed.

For example, communication mode switch SW3 is a slide switch forinputting an operation instruction for setting a communication modebetween wearable camera 10 and an external device. Examples of thecommunication mode include an access point mode, a station mode, and anOFF mode.

In the access point mode, wearable camera 10 operates as an access pointof the wireless LAN, is connected to, for example, smartphone 40possessed by police officer 3 in a wireless manner, and performscommunication between wearable camera 10 and smartphone 40. In theaccess point mode, when being connected to wearable camera 10,smartphone 40 displays the current live image by wearable camera 10,play backs the recorded image, displays the captured still image, andthe like.

In the station mode, when being connected to an external device using awireless LAN, communication is performed, with an external device as anaccess point. For example, smartphone 40 may be set as an externaldevice by using the tethering function of smartphone 40. In the stationmode, wearable camera 10 can perform various settings, transfer (upload)of recorded images held by wearable camera 10, or the like, with respectto in-vehicle camera system 30, and back end client 70 or back endserver 50 in police department 4.

In the OFF mode, the communication operation of the wireless LAN isturned off and the wireless LAN is not used.

Attribute information adding switch SW4 is a push button switch operatedto add attribute information to image data. The attribute informationindicates the content (for example, type of incident, homicide, robbery,disaster, or the like) of the image captured by wearable camera 10.

Wireless registration switch SW5 as an example of the first indicator isa push button switch operated when wearable camera 10 registers and sets(hereinafter referred to as “communication setting process” in somecases) an external device (for example, smartphone 40, wireless LANaccess point 45, or common trigger box 100) of a communication partnerof wireless communication (for example, wireless communication using BLEor a wireless LAN). Hereinafter, for example, in wireless communicationusing BLE, a process of registering and setting a device which is acommunication partner may be referred to as “pairing” in some cases.

LED 26 a is a display that indicates, for example, the power input state(on/off state) of wearable camera 10 and the state of the battery 25.

LED 26 b is a display that indicates, for example, the state (recordedstate) of the capturing operation of wearable camera 10.

LED 26 c is a display indicating, for example, the state of thecommunication mode of wearable camera 10. When wearable camera 10receives notification data from back end server 50, three LEDs 26 a to26 c perform a blinking operation in response to an instruction from MCU19. At this time, according to the information on the sound sourceincluded in the notification data, MCU 19 changes the blinking patternof LEDs 26 a to 26 c.

MCU 19 detects the input for each of recording switch SW1, snapshotswitch SW2, communication mode switch SW3, attribute information addingswitch SW4, and wireless registration switch SW5, and performs a processaccording to the input of the operated switch.

In a case of detecting the operation input of recording switch SW1, MCU19 controls the start or stop of the capturing operation in capture 11and stores the image obtained from capture 11 in storage 15 as a movingimage.

In a case of detecting the operation input of snapshot switch SW2, MCU19 stores the image by capture 11 when snapshot switch SW2 is operated,in storage 15, as a still image.

MCU 19 detects the state of communication mode switch SW3 and operatescommunicator 21 according to the communication mode corresponding to thesetting of communication mode switch SW3.

In a case where attribute information adding switch SW4 is pressed, MCU19 adds attribute information corresponding to the data of the imagecaptured by capture 11 in association with the image.

In a case where wireless registration switch SW5 is pressed, MCU 19executes a default process that is to be performed in the communicationsetting process (for example, pairing), on the surrounding externaldevice (for example, common trigger box 100) that can be a communicationpartner of wearable camera 10. Here, if pairing is exemplified, thedefault process includes generation of registration request informationas a communication partner of wireless communication and output thereofto BLE communicator 21A, generation of connection information forspecifying a communication partner as a connection destination andoutput thereof to BLE communicator 21A, and storage of connectioninformation transmitted from the communication partner in storage 15.However, it goes without saying that the default process relating to thecommunication setting of the wireless LAN is the same as the defaultprocess when exemplifying the above-mentioned pairing.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an outlineof an operation of communication between wearable camera 10 and commontrigger box 100 in Exemplary embodiment 1. As described above, accordingto the operation in police department PD to which a police officerbelongs, with respect to police vehicles on which the police officerrides, there are an operation in which the police vehicles are fixed ona daily basis, and an operation in which the police vehicles are changedevery day. Here, in order to explain the contents of Exemplaryembodiment 1 in an easy-to-understand manner, an explanation will bemade assuming that a police vehicle on which the police officer rides ischanged every day.

Under the operation in which the police vehicle on which the policeofficer rides is changed every day, MCU 19 as an example of the firstcommunication setter executes pairing as an example of the communicationsetting process between wearable camera 10 used by the police officerand common trigger box 100 a mounted in police vehicle 7 a, by using forexample, an existing AirStation One-Touch Secure System (AOSS(registered trademark)) technique, when the police officer rides onpolice vehicle 7 a on the first day (Day 1).

For example, wireless registration switch SW5 of wearable camera 10 andswitch 170 (see FIG. 8) of common trigger box 100 are pressed together,although details will be described later. By pressing the respectiveswitches, wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 both establishan encrypted communication session, send their own connectioninformation to each other through the encrypted communication session,and receive and store it. Thus, wearable camera 10 and common triggerbox 100 can register and set each other as a communication partner ofwireless communication using for example, BLE, and thereafter canperform wireless communication with each other.

However, on the second day (Day 2), the police officer rides on policevehicle 7 b different from police vehicle 7 a. The police officer usessame wearable camera 10, but pairing related to wireless communicationusing BLE needs to be performed between wearable camera 10 and commontrigger box 100 b mounted on police vehicle 7 b. That is, unless pairingis completed, wireless communication using BLE is impossible betweenwearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 b. The police officer isnot able to check whether or not communication setting information(hereinafter may be referred to as “pairing information” in some cases)based on the pairing executed by wearable camera 10 on the first day(Day 1) remains in wearable camera 10. Therefore, for example, when apolice officer comes to a parking lot in police department PD forpatrolling or to rush to a field of incident, it is assumed that thepolice officer forget to perform pairing of wireless communicationbetween wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 b in policevehicle 7 b on which the police officer is supposed to ride on thesecond day (Day 2). In this case, for example, if pairing informationbased on the pairing executed on the first day (Day 1) remains inwearable camera 10, wearable camera 10 cannot perform wirelesscommunication using BLE with police vehicle 7 b on which the policeofficer is supposed to ride on the second day (Day 2), which hinders theoperation of the police officer.

Therefore, in Exemplary embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 5, MCU 19 as anexample of the first controller of wearable camera 10 deletes thepairing information stored therein after a certain period (for example,12 hours) has elapsed without performing BLE communication aftercompletion of pairing with the communication partner corresponding tothe pairing information. In a case where common trigger box 100 detectsthat a certain period (for example, 12 hours) has elapsed withoutcommunication, it is possible to obtain a similar effect by deleting thepairing information on common trigger box 100 side.

A detailed description will be made with reference to FIG. 5.

At 8:40 am on the first day (Day 1), if a police officer comes to theparking lot to start a patrol work, pairing of BLE communication betweencommon trigger box 100 a mounted in police vehicle 7 a and wearablecamera 10 is executed. Thus, wearable camera 10 and common trigger box100 a perform BLE communication with each other. Pairing may be, forexample, a method using AOSS (registered trademark) technology describedabove, or a standard method of Bluetooth (registered trademark) oranother method may be used.

At 10:00 am on the first day (Day 1), for example, the police officerarrives at the field of incident, and if wearable camera 10 receives thecontrol signal to start recording from common trigger box 100 a throughBLE communication, wearable camera 10 starts recording. That is, pairingmakes it possible to send and receive between wearable camera 10 andcommon trigger box 100 a, and wearable camera 10 can start or stoprecording the captured image under the control of common trigger box 100a.

At 7:30 p.m. on the first day (Day 1), the police officer returns topolice department PD, and is away from common trigger box 100 by acertain distance, while wearing or possessing wearable camera 10. Thecertain distance is for example, within the communication range of BLEcommunication. Thus, pairing (link) between wearable camera 10 andcommon trigger box 100 a in police vehicle 7 a is released.

It is assumed that at 8:10 am on the second day (Day 2), the policeofficer wears or possesses wearable camera 10 and enters policedepartment PD. The police officer may wear or possess wearable camera 10used by himself after entering police department PD. In the presentexemplary embodiment, wearable camera 10 deletes pairing information(specifically, pairing information of BLE communication with commontrigger box 100 a of police vehicle 7 a) stored in storage 15, after alapse of a certain time (for example, 12 hours) from a lastcommunication time (in other words, a time immediately before pairing(link) between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 a isreleased). Specifically, around 7:30 am on the second day (Day 2),wearable camera 10 deletes the pairing information stored in storage 15(specifically, pairing information of BLE communication with commontrigger box 100 a in police vehicle 7 a). Therefore, at the time of 8:10am on the second day (Day 2), wearable camera 10 does not hold thepairing information generated based on the pairing process executed at8:40 am on the first day (Day 1). On this day, police officer rides onpolice vehicle 7 b different from police vehicle 7 a. For the sake ofsimplifying the explanation, an example in which the police officerrides on police vehicle 7 b has been described, but the police officermay ride on same police vehicle 7 a as on the first day (Day 1).

At 8:20 am on the second day (Day 2), if the police officer comes to theparking lot to go out for patrol, wearable camera 10 receives the signalfrom common trigger box 100 b in police vehicle 7 b to detect commontrigger box 100 b. However, since pairing between wearable camera 10 andcommon trigger box 100 b is not executed at this time, wearable camera10 and common trigger box 100 b cannot perform BLE communication witheach other. When receiving and detecting the signal from common triggerbox 100 b, wearable camera 10 notifies the police officer that pairingis not executed between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 bof police vehicle 7 b, for example, by the vibration of vibrator 27.Thus, the police officer can recognize that pairing has not yet beencompleted between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 b inpolice vehicle 7 b on which the police officer is supposed to ride onthe second day (Day 2).

At 8:25 am on the second day (Day 2), the police officer receives, forexample, the vibration of vibrator 27, and executes pairing of the BLEcommunication between common trigger box 100 b mounted on the policevehicle 7 b and wearable camera 10. Thus, wearable camera 10 and commontrigger box 100 b perform BLE communication with each other.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of pairing informationregistered in a case where wearable camera 10 in each exemplaryembodiment performs BLE communication. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustratingan example of pairing information registered in a case where commontrigger box 100 in each exemplary embodiment performs BLE communication.FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an example of communication settinginformation registered in a case where wearable camera 10 in eachexemplary embodiment performs WLAN communication. FIG. 7D is a diagramillustrating an example of communication setting information registeredin a case where common trigger box 100 in each exemplary embodimentperforms WLAN communication. FIG. 7E is a diagram illustrating anexample of communication setting information registered in a case wherecommon trigger box 100 in each exemplary embodiment performs WLANcommunication.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when BLE communication is performed, wearablecamera 10 stores media access control (MAC) address and an encryptionkey used for BLE communication, respectively, for each common triggerbox 100 which is a connection destination, as pairing information (thatis, connection information of common trigger box 100 as a communicationpartner) as an example of communication setting information. In FIG. 7A,connection information of two common trigger boxes 100, as communicationpartners with which wearable camera 10 performs BLE communication, isregistered as pairing information.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when BLE communication is performed, common triggerbox 100 stores MAC address and an encryption key used for BLEcommunication, respectively, for each wearable camera 10 which is aconnection destination, as pairing information as an example ofcommunication setting information (that is, connection information ofwearable camera 10 as a communication partner). In FIG. 7B, the numberof registration destinations to be paired by common trigger box 100(that is, communication partners with which common trigger box 100performs BLE communication) is up to 10, but the connection informationof six wearable cameras 10 is registered as pairing information.

As shown in FIG. 7C, in the case where WLAN communication (for example,Wifi (registered trademark) communication) is performed, wearable camera10 stores service set identifier (SSID) and an encryption key used forWLAN communication, respectively, for each common trigger box 100 whichis a connection destination, as communication setting information (thatis, connection information of common trigger box 100 as a communicationpartner). In FIG. 7C, connection information of two common trigger boxes100, as communication partners with which wearable camera 10 performsWLAN communication, is registered as communication setting information.

As shown in FIG. 7D, in the case of WLAN communication (for example,Wifi (registered trademark) communication), common trigger box 100stores a network key (encryption key) used for a wireless LAN with aconnection destination (that is, wearable camera 10 as a communicationpartner).

As shown in FIG. 7E, when WLAN communication (for example, Wifi(registered trademark) communication) is performed, common trigger box100 stores MAC address, respectively, for each wearable camera 10 whichis a connection destination, as communication setting information (thatis, connection information of wearable camera 10 as a communicationpartner). In FIG. 7E, the number of registration destinations to whichthe common trigger box 100 sets communication (that is, thecommunication partner with which the common trigger box 100 performsWLAN communication) is up to 10, but the connection information of sixwearable cameras 10 is registered as communication setting information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating in detail an example of an operationprocedure of wearable camera 10 in Exemplary embodiment 1. FIG. 6illustrates a pairing non-execution notifying function of notifying thatwearable camera 10 does not generate pairing information for wirelesscommunication (for example, BLE communication) with common trigger box100 in police vehicle 7 (in other words, pairing is not executed), inthis case. The illustration of FIG. 6 can be similarly applied to thecase where wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 performwireless LAN communication (WLAN communication).

In FIG. 6, wearable camera 10 initializes a state flag (S0). That is,wearable camera 10 sets the state flag to 0 (S0). After thisinitialization, MCU 19 determines whether to use the pairingnon-execution notifying function described above (ON) or not to use it(OFF) in wearable camera 10 (S1). For example, setting informationindicating whether to use or not to use the pairing non-executionnotification function is stored in storage 15. MCU 19 makes adetermination based on the setting information stored in storage 15. Ina case where it is set not to use the pairing non-execution notifyingfunction (OFF) (NO in S1), the process of wearable camera 10 shown inFIG. 6 is ended.

On the other hand, in a case where it is set to use the pairingnon-execution notifying function (ON) (YES in S1), MCU 19 refers to, forexample, the state flag stored in RAM 13 or storage 15 (S2). The stateflag is 0 (zero) or 1. The state flag 0 (zero) indicates an initialstate (that is, whether wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100are connected or not is not checked by wearable camera 10), or a statewhere wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 are disconnected. Onthe other hand, the status flag 1 indicates a state where wearablecamera 10 and common trigger box 100 are connected, or a state where theconnection is maintained.

In a case where it is determined that the state flag is 0 (zero) (YES inS2), MCU 19 determines whether or not the signal from common trigger box100 is received by BLE communicator 21A (S3). The signal from commontrigger box 100 includes the identification number (for example, MACaddress) of common trigger box 100. In a case where it is determinedthat the signal from common trigger box 100 is not received in BLEcommunicator 21A (NO in S3), for example, the police officer is onvacation and is at an officer home (see FIG. 1), or performs a desk workin the office within police department PD (that is, position away fromcommon trigger box 100 from the BLE communication range). In this case,since the police officer does not ride on police vehicle 7, the processof wearable camera 10 proceeds to step S8.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the signal fromcommon trigger box 100 is received in BLE communicator 21A (YES in S3),MCU 19 blinks, for example, LED 26 c in order to notify the policeofficer of the reception. The notification to the police officer thatthe signal from common trigger box 100 is received may be a uniquevibration pattern of vibrator 27, or a sound output of a default soundmessage by sound output 28 and speaker 29B (for example, “a signal fromcommon trigger box is received”). In a case where it is determined thatthe signal from common trigger box 100 is received in BLE communicator21A (YES in S3), MCU 19 determines whether pairing information for BLEcommunication between common trigger box 100 corresponding to theidentification number included in the signal and wearable camera 10 isheld or not (S4).

In a case where it is determined that the pairing information is notheld (NO in S4), MCU 19 notifies that pairing has not been executed yetwith common trigger box 100 which is a transmission source of the signalreceived by BLE communicator 21A in step S3 (S5). MCU 19 makes anotification by using, for example, at least one of lighting of LED 26c, vibration of vibrator 27, and sound output of a default sound messagethrough sound output 28 and speaker 29B. The default sound message is,for example, “pairing with the common trigger box necessary for wirelesscommunication has not yet been completed”, but it goes without sayingthat it is not limited to this content. For example, a police officerwho recognizes the necessity of pairing by blinking of an LED, a uniquevibration pattern, or a sound message performs pairing by apredetermined pairing method. Alternatively, after determining that thesignal from common trigger box 100 is received in BLE communicator 21A,for example, pairing may be automatically performed by MCU 19 as anexample of the first communication setter between wearable camera 10 andcommon trigger box 100, according to a method using the above-mentionedAOSS (registered trademark). The timing at which pairing is performedbetween wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 is not limited tothis point in FIG. 6. For example, pairing may be performed betweenwearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 after the notification ofstep S5.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the pairinginformation is held (YES in S4), MCU 19 performs a connection attempt tocommon trigger box 100 using the pairing information (S6). That is, MCU19 generates an authentication request to common trigger box 100 byusing the existing challenge response method, and transmits it to commontrigger box 100.

More specifically, upon receiving the authentication request transmittedfrom wearable camera 10, common trigger box 100 transmits back a randomnotification sequence (that is, a challenge) to wearable camera 10. MCU19 generates a numerical sequence (that is, a response) obtained bysynthesizing a predetermined numerical sequence (a default numericalsequence between common trigger box 100 and wearable camera 10) and thechallenge according to a specific algorithm, and transmits it to commontrigger box 100. Common trigger box 100 generates a numerical sequence(that is, a response) obtained by synthesizing the challenge transmittedto wearable camera 10 and the above-mentioned predetermined numericalsequence (a default numerical sequence between common trigger box 100and wearable camera 10) according to the same algorithm, and comparesthe response transmitted from wearable camera 10. If the responses matcheach other, the authentication request of wearable camera 10 issuccessful, and the connection attempt to common trigger box 100 ofwearable camera 10 is successful.

In a case where it is determined that the connection attempt to commontrigger box 100 has failed (NO in S7), MCU 19 determines whether or nota certain time (for example, 12 hours) has elapsed from the timer reset(see steps S11 and S15) (S8). In a case where the signal from commontrigger box 100 is not received (NO in S3) in step S3, or even after thenotification (S5) that the pairing with common trigger box 100 has notbeen executed yet in step S5, MCU 19 similarly determines whether or nota certain time (for example, 12 hours) has elapsed from the timer reset(S8). In a case where it is determined that a certain time (for example,12 hours) has elapsed from the timer reset (NO in S8), the process ofwearable camera 10 returns to the step S2.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that a certain time(for example, 12 hours) has elapsed from the timer reset (YES in S8),MCU 19 deletes the held pairing information (S9). After step S9, theprocess of wearable camera 10 returns to step S2. Even in a case where acertain time (for example, 12 hours) has elapsed from the timer reset,if the pairing information is not held in wearable camera 10, theprocess of step S9 may be omitted.

In a case where it is determined that the connection attempt to commontrigger box 100 is successful (YES in S7), MCU 19 updates the state flagto 1 (S10) and resets the timer (not shown) (S11). The timer (not shown)is built in, for example, MCU 19. After step S11, the process ofwearable camera 10 returns to step S2.

Further, in a case where it is determined that the status flag is not 0(zero) (in other words, 1) (NO in S2), MCU 19 refers to the connectionflag stored in, for example, RAM 13 or storage 15, and determineswhether or not the connection flag is 1 (in other words, alreadyconnected to common trigger box 100) (S12). In a case where it isdetermined that the connection flag is 1 (YES in S12), MCU 19 determineswhether or not the communication with common trigger box 100 has beendisconnected (S13). In step S13, it is questioned whether or not thepolice officer who has worn or possessed for example, wearable camera 10has moved to the outside of the communication range, where BLEcommunication with common trigger box 100 becomes impossible. In a casewhere the signal from common trigger box 100 is received by BLEcommunicator 21A (NO in S13), it is determined that the communicationbetween wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 continues, and theprocess of wearable camera 10 returns to step S2.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that thecommunication with common trigger box 100 has been disconnected (YES inS13), MCU 19 updates the state flag to 0 (S14) and resets the timer (notshown) (S15). After step S15, the process of wearable camera 10 returnsto step S2.

Further, in a case where it is determined that the connection flag isnot 1 (that is, it is 0 (zero)) (NO in S12), MCU 19 updates the stateflag to 0 (zero) (S16). After step S16, the process of wearable camera10 returns to step S2.

As described above, in communication system 1000 of Exemplary embodiment1, wearable camera 10 images the subject in front of the police officer(an example of the user). Wearable camera 10 executes pairing (anexample of the first communication setting process) for communicatingwith common trigger box 100 installed in police vehicle 7 on which thepolice officer rides (one example of a vehicle), and stores pairinginformation (an example of first communication setting information) usedfor BLE communication with common trigger box 100 based on the pairing,in storage 15 (an example of a memory). Wearable camera 10 transmits animage of a subject captured by capture 11 to common trigger box 100 ofpolice vehicle 7, using pairing information stored in storage 15.Wearable camera 10 deletes pairing information (first communicationsetting information) from storage 15, after a lapse of a certain time((for example, 12 hours) from a last communication time in BLEcommunicator 21A, between common trigger box 100 which is acommunication partner of BLE communicator 21A and wearable camera 10.

Thus, wearable camera 10 deletes communication setting information everytime a certain time has elapsed from the last time of wirelesscommunication with common trigger box 100 mounted on each police vehicle7 on which the police officer rides, thereby supporting the periodicexecution of setting of new wireless communication with common triggerbox 100, for each police officer. For example, even in a case ofchanging police vehicle 7 on which the police officer rides on a dailybasis, since wearable camera 10 can delete pairing information if acertain time has elapsed from the last communication with common triggerbox 100 in police vehicle 7 on which the police officer rode the daybefore, thereby performing new wireless communication setting withcommon trigger box 100 in police vehicle 7 on which the police officeris supposed to ride on a different day. Therefore, since communicationsetting (pairing) between common trigger box 100 in police vehicle 7 onwhich the police officer is supposed to ride and wearable camera 10 isreliably performed, wearable camera 10 automatically performs, forexample, the operation (that is, start or stop of recording) accordingto the control signal for starting or stopping recording from commontrigger box 100, and efficiently supports the operation of the policeofficer.

In a case where the communication setting information of the wirelesscommunication (for example, BLE or wireless LAN) with common trigger box100 in police vehicle 7 is not stored, wearable camera 10 notifies thatthe communication setting process (for example, pairing) has not beenperformed. Thus, since the police officer can recognize that there is nopairing information with common trigger box 100 in police vehicle 7 onwhich the police officer is supposed to ride, it is possible toaccurately perform the pairing with desired common trigger box 100 byusing wearable camera 10.

Notifier is at least one of LED 26 c as an example of an illuminatorthat illuminates that the communication setting process is notperformed, vibrator 27 as an example of a vibrator that vibrates in apattern indicating that the communication setting process is notperformed, and sound output 28 and speaker 29B which output soundindicating that first communication setting process is not performed.Thus, the police officer can clearly recognize that there is no pairinginformation because pairing with common trigger box 100 in policevehicle 7 on which the police officer is supposed to ride is notexecuted.

In addition, wearable camera 10 notifies the police officer that thecommunication setting process is not performed, only when the signaltransmitted from common trigger box 100 is received. This makes itpossible for wearable camera 10 to avoid making a notification that thecommunication setting process is not performed. For example, until apolice officer rides on or moves close to police vehicle 7 on which thepolice officer is supposed to ride (for example, until the policeofficer enters the communication range with common trigger box 100 ofpolice vehicle 7), wearable camera 10 can avoid notifying that thewireless communication setting process between wearable camera 10 andcommon trigger box 100 is not performed.

(Process Leading to Exemplary Embodiment 2)

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram indicating an issue as the premise ofExemplary embodiment 2. A plurality of police vehicles 7 a and 7 b areparked in police department PD, but here, in order to make theexplanation easier to understand, it is assumed that police vehicles areparked, for example, 2 meters (m) apart. Police vehicles 7 a and 7 bhave, for example, the widths of 2 m. However, it goes without sayingthat the parking interval of police vehicles 7 a and 7 b is not limitedto about 2 m in view of the size of the parking lot.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when the communication setting (for example,pairing) between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 a ofpolice vehicle 7 a is performed in a wireless manner, there is apossibility that common trigger box 100 b of another police vehicle 7 bpresent in wireless communication areas 7 ads1 of common trigger box 100a and wearable camera 10 may be erroneously paired with each other.Wireless communication areas 7 ads1 and 7 bds1 of common trigger boxes100 a and 100 b are for example, 30 meters (m), respectively, andindicate the communicable (receivable) range of the respective signalsfrom common trigger boxes 100 a and 100 b. This problem is presumed tooccur because common trigger boxes 100 b and 100 a of other policevehicles 7 b and 7 a are respectively located in wireless communicationranges 7 ads1 and 7 bds1 of common trigger boxes 100 a and 100 b ofpolice vehicles 7 a and 7 b.

Exemplary Embodiment 2

Therefore, in Exemplary embodiment 2, for example, examples ofcommunication system 1000 and common trigger box 100 that solve theabove-mentioned problems by adopting two approaches will be described.Although the details will be described later, a first approach is amethod in which common trigger box 100 performs setting of communicationwith wearable camera 10 after narrowing the wireless communication area(communication range), in a case where a communication setting button ispressed in wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 of policevehicle 7. A second approach is a method in which communication settingis performed after wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 areconnected in a wired manner through charging stand 200.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an example of theinternal configuration of common trigger box 100 of each exemplaryembodiment. Common trigger box 100 shown in FIG. 8 includes processor110, memory 120, communicator 130, LAN connector 140, USB connector 145,LAN interface 150, USB interface 155, LED 160, and switch 170. Forexample, common trigger box 100 is mounted by being deployed in thetrunk room of police vehicle 7.

Processor 110 is configured with, for example, a central processing unit(CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor(DSP), and has a function of a controller of common trigger box 100.Processor 110 executes, for example, a control process for integrallycontrolling the operation of each unit of common trigger box 100, a datainput and output process with respective units of common trigger box100, a data operation (calculation) process, and a data storage process.Processor 110 operates according to various programs and data stored inflash memory 122.

Memory 120 as an example of the second memory includes work memory 121and flash memory 122. Work memory 121 is configured using for example, arandom access memory (RAM), and is used at the time of operation ofprocessor 110. Flash memory 122 holds in advance a program and data forcontrolling the execution of the operation (process) of processor 110,or stores various types of data generated by the operation (process) ofprocessor 110 or various types of data transmitted from the externaldevices (for example, wearable camera 10, in-vehicle camera system 30).

Communicator 130 as an example of the second communicator includes awired communication circuit (not shown) for performing wiredcommunication (for example, LAN communication), and a wirelesscommunication circuit (not shown) for performing wireless communication(for example, BLE communication, wireless LAN communication).Communicator 130 transmits and receives data using a wire with anexternal device (for example, charging stand 200, in-vehicle camerasystem 30, rotation warning light PL, and siren (not shown)) connectedwith common trigger box 100 in a wired manner. Common trigger box 100may be connected to in-vehicle PC 32 by a wire. In this case,communicator 130 transmits and receives data using a wire within-vehicle PC 32. Communicator 130 transmits and receive data in awireless manner to and from an external device (for example, wearablecamera 10) connected with common trigger box 100 in a wireless manner.

LAN connector 140 is a default connector used when performing LANcommunication with an external device (for example, charging stand 200,in-vehicle camera system 30, rotation warning light PL, and siren (notshown)) connected to common trigger box 100 through a LAN cable (notshown, for example, a crossover cable or a straight cable). LANinterface 150 is a communication interface between LAN connector 140 andprocessor 110, and performs input and output of data between LANconnector 140 and processor 110. Although details will be described inExemplary embodiment 3, LAN interface 150 includes GPIO 151 (see FIG.12, that is, a parallel interface) to which an output of a signal (SIG)terminal of the LAN cable (for example, a crossover cable) is input.

USB connector 145 is a default connector used when performing USBcommunication with an external device (for example, charging stand 200,in-vehicle camera system 30, rotation warning light PL, and siren (notshown)) connected to common trigger box 100 through a USB cable (notshown). USB interface 155 is a communication interface between USBconnector 145 and processor 110, and performs input and output of databetween USB connector 145 and processor 110.

LED 160 is configured using for example, a plurality of light emissiondiodes (LEDs). In response to a control signal from processor 110, LED160 is turned on or turned off to notify whether or not the power supplyof common trigger box 100 is turned on. In response to a control signalfrom processor 110, LED 160 is turned on or turned off to notify whetheror not BLE communication is being performed. In response to a controlsignal from processor 110, LED 160 is turned on or turned off to notifywhether or not wireless LAN communication is being performed.

Switch 170 as an example of the second indicator is a push button switchoperated when the external device (for example, wearable camera 10) ofthe partner with which common trigger box 100 performs wirelesscommunication (for example, wireless communication using BLE or awireless LAN) is registered and set as a communication partner (that is,during the communication setting process). A signal indicating thatswitch 170 is pressed is input to processor 110.

Next, the outline and operation procedure of the first approach inExemplary embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 9B andFIG. 10. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of anoutline of an operation of common trigger box 100 in Exemplaryembodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating in detail afirst example of an operation procedure regarding pairing betweenwearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 in Exemplary embodiment 2.In the following first approach, BLE communication as an example ofwireless communication is exemplified and a communication settingprocess (that is, pairing as an example of the second communicationsetting process) for performing BLE communication is described, but itis similarly applicable even if wireless LAN communication isexemplified.

In FIG. 9B, similarly to FIG. 9A, a plurality of police vehicles 7 a and7 b are parked in police department PD, but here, in order to make theexplanation easier to understand, it is assumed that police vehicles areparked, for example, 2 meters (m) apart. Police vehicles 7 a and 7 bhave, for example, the widths of 2 m. However, it goes without sayingthat the parking interval of police vehicles 7 a and 7 b is not limitedto about 2 m in view of the size of the parking lot.

As shown in FIG. 9B, in a case where respective communication settingbuttons are pressed in wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 aof police vehicle 7 a, common trigger box 100 a temporarily reducespower during communication in communicator 130. Even in common triggerbox 100 b of police vehicle 7 b, when performing the communicationsetting process with wearable camera 10 used by another police officer,if the communication setting button is pressed by the police officer,similarly, common trigger box 100 b temporarily reduces the power(power) during communication in communicator 130. Thus, common triggerboxes 100 a and 100 b can narrow the wireless communication area(communication range) only for a certain period when performing thecommunication setting process (for example, pairing) with wearablecameras 10 which are the respective communication partners thereof, andit is possible to avoid two-dimensional planar overlap with the wirelesscommunication area (communication range) of common trigger boxes 100 band 100 a of other police vehicles 7 b and 7 a. The communicationsetting button in wearable camera 10 is wireless registration switchSW5, and the communication setting button in common trigger boxes 100 aand 100 b is switch 170.

Wireless communication areas 7 ads2 and 7 bds2 of common trigger boxes100 a and 100 b are temporarily narrowed by common trigger boxes 100 aand 100 b, and are narrower than wireless communication areas 7 ads1 and7 bds1 which are not narrowed. Wireless communication areas 7 ads2 and 7bds2 of common trigger boxes 100 a and 100 b are for example, 2 meters(m), respectively, and indicate the respective communicable (receivable)ranges of signals from common trigger boxes 100 a and 100 b.

In FIG. 10, a button for pairing of wearable camera 10 (that is,wireless registration switch SW5) is pressed by the police officer (S21a), and a button for pairing of common trigger box 100 (that is, switch170) is pressed (S21 b). When detecting the press of switch 170 in stepS21 b, common trigger box 100 reduces the power during communication incommunicator 130 for a certain period (a default value) (S22). Thus, asshown in FIG. 9B, common trigger box 100 can narrow the wirelesscommunication area (communication range) only for a certain period whenperforming pairing with wearable camera 10 which is the communicationpartner.

By pressing each switch, wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100both establish an encrypted communication session. Wearable camera 10generates a pairing registration request through the encryptedcommunication session and transmits it to common trigger box 100 (S23).Upon receiving the registration request transmitted in step S23, commontrigger box 100 returns an acknowledgment (ACK) indicating the receptionof pairing registration request through the encrypted communicationsession in the same way (S23 ac). Hereinafter, during a process inpairing between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100,information is transmitted and received through the encryptedcommunication session.

Wearable camera 10 transmits its own connection information (BWCinformation) to common trigger box 100 (S24). Upon receiving theconnection information (BWC information) transmitted in step S24, commontrigger box 100 returns an acknowledgment (ACK) indicating the receptionof the connection information (for example, BWC information as anexample of second communication setting information) (S24 ac).

Common trigger box 100 transmits its own connection information (CTBinformation) to wearable camera 10 (S25). Upon receiving the connectioninformation (CTB information) transmitted in step S25, wearable camera10 returns an acknowledgment (ACK) indicating the reception of theconnection information (CTB information) (S25 ac). Thus, wearable camera10 and common trigger box 100 transmit and receive their own connectioninformation with each other to exchange it.

Wearable camera 10 registers the received connection information (CTBinformation) in storage 15 and stores it (S26). Common trigger box 100registers the received connection information (BWC information) in flashmemory 122 and stores it (S27). Thus, wearable camera 10 and commontrigger box 100 can start wireless communication using BLE communication(S28).

Next, the outline and operation procedure of the second approach inExemplary embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 11A andFIG. 11B. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of LANcommunication performed between wearable camera 10 and common triggerbox 100 through charging stand 200 in Exemplary embodiment 2. FIG. 11Bis a sequence diagram illustrating in detail a second example of anoperation procedure regarding pairing between wearable camera 10 andcommon trigger box 100 in Exemplary embodiment 2.

As shown in FIG. 11A, in the second approach, wearable camera 10 isconnected to charging stand 200 and charging stand 200 and commontrigger box 100 are connected by a LAN cable (for example, a straightcable). In other words, when wearable camera 10 is connected to chargingbase 200, wearable camera 10 is connected to common trigger box 100 soas to enable LAN communication through charging stand 200.

In FIG. 11B, if a police officer places (inserts) wearable camera 10 ona predetermined charging surface of charging stand 200, it is assumedthat wearable camera 10 is set on charging stand 200 (S29). Wearablecamera 10 can determine that it is connected to charging stand 200 fromthe output of contact terminal 23. Further, wearable camera 10 maydetermine that it is connected to charging stand 200, when startingcharging battery 25 based on the current supplied from charging stand200. Common trigger box 100 can determine that a LAN cable (for example,a cross cable) is connected to LAN connector 140, from the output of LANinterface 150. Thus, wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 areconnected to each other so as to enable wired communication (forexample, LAN communication) through charging stand 200 (S30). Since stepS30 and the subsequent processes are respectively the same as step S22and the subsequent processes in FIG. 10, the same step numbers areattached and the description thereof will be omitted.

Since wearable camera 10 does not include an LAN communication interfaceand a connector, LAN communication with common trigger box 100 ispossible through charging stand 200, but since wearable camera 10includes USB interface 22 and contact terminal 23, it is possible todirectly perform USB communication with common trigger box 100. In thiscase, the charging stand 200 may not be involved.

If RS232 is used as a communication standard for wired communication,the maximum communication speed between wearable camera 10 and commontrigger box 100 is 20 kbps and the maximum wiring length is 15 m. IfRS423 is used as a communication standard for wired communication, themaximum communication speed between wearable camera 10 and commontrigger box 100 is 300 kbps and the maximum wiring length is 600 m. IfEthernet (registered trademark) is used as a communication standard forwired communication, the maximum communication speed between wearablecamera 10 and common trigger box 100 is 100 Mbps and the maximum wiringlength is 100 m. If USB2.0 is used as a communication standard for wiredcommunication, the maximum communication speed between wearable camera10 and common trigger box 100 is 480 Mbps and the maximum wiring lengthis 5 m. If USB3.0 is used as a communication standard for wiredcommunication, the maximum communication speed between wearable camera10 and common trigger box 100 is 4 Gbps and the maximum wiring length is3 m.

As described above, in communication system 1000 of the first approachof Exemplary embodiment 2, wearable camera 10 further includes wirelessregistration switch SW5 for instructing to start the communicationsetting process (for example, pairing), and starts the communicationsetting process (for example, pairing) with common trigger box 100, inresponse to the pressing operation on wireless registration switch SW5.Common trigger box 100 further includes switch 170 for instructing thestart of the communication setting process (for example, pairing), andstarts the communication setting process (for example, pairing) withwearable camera 10 by narrowing a wireless communication area(communication coverage area) in processor 110 as an example of secondcommunication setter, in response to the pressing operation on switch170.

Thus, the police officer can accurately perform a communication settingprocess (for example, pairing) with common trigger box 100 of properpolice vehicle 7 (specifically, the police office is supposed to rideon), by simple operations of respectively pressing wireless registrationswitch SW5 of wearable camera 10 and switch 170 of common trigger box100. In other words, wearable camera 10 can reliably avoid execution ofthe communication setting process with the common trigger box of anotherpolice vehicle on which the police officer does not ride.

In communication system 1000 of the second approach of Exemplaryembodiment 2, in a case of being connected with common trigger box 100by a wired (for example, a LAN cable) and being connected with chargingstand 200 that charges wearable camera 10, wearable camera 10 starts thecommunication setting process (for example, pairing) with common triggerbox 100 by wired communication (LAN communication) through chargingstand 200. In a case where wearable camera 10 is connected to chargingstand 200, common trigger box 100 starts the communication settingprocess (for example, pairing) with wearable camera 10 by wiredcommunication (LAN communication) through charging stand 200.

Thus, the police officer can accurately perform a communication settingprocess (for example, pairing) with common trigger box 100 of properpolice vehicle 7 (specifically, the police office is supposed to rideon), by a simple operation of setting wearable camera 10 in chargingstand 200. In other words, wearable camera 10 can reliably avoidexecution of the communication setting process with the common triggerbox of another police vehicle on which the police officer does not ride.

(Process Leading to Exemplary Embodiment 3)

As described in the first approach of Exemplary embodiment 2, it isnecessary for the police officer to press switch 170 of common triggerbox 100, in order to start the communication setting process (forexample, pairing) between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100of the police vehicle 7. As described above, common trigger box 100 isdeployed in the trunk room due to restrictions such as the size thereofand installation positions of various devices disposed in police vehicle7. Therefore, the police officer needed to open the trunk and pressswitch 170 of common trigger box 100.

Exemplary Embodiment 3

Therefore, in Exemplary embodiment 3, as a modification of Exemplaryembodiment 2, examples of common trigger box 100 and communicationsystem 1000 will be described which are capable of detecting thatwearable camera 10 is connected to charging stand 200, even if thepolice officer dose not purposely open the trunk of police vehicle 7 anddoes not press switch 170 of common trigger box 100.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an outlineof an operation of common trigger box 100 in Exemplary embodiment 3. InFIG. 12, the seventh (light brown) terminal (that is, the signal (SIG)terminal) and the eighth (brown) terminal (that is, ground (GND)terminal) of a LAN cable (center of paper of FIG. 12, for example, astraight cable) are shown as terminals indicating the status of thepresence or absence of connection of the LAN cable. The fourth (blue)terminal and the fifth (light blue) terminal are terminals indicatingthe situation of power supply. The LAN cable connects charging stand 200on which wearable camera 10 is placed (inserted) and common trigger box100.

As described above, LAN interface 150 (see FIG. 8) of common trigger box100 includes GPIO 151 (see FIG. 12, that is, a parallel interface) towhich an output of a signal (SIG) terminal of the LAN cable (forexample, a crossover cable) is input. For example, if the police officerinserts wearable camera 10 to charging stand 200 (that is, wearablecamera 10 is set on charging stand 200), the seventh signal (SIG)terminal of the LAN cable on the charging stand 200 side and the eighthground (GND) terminal are short-circuited and connected. With thisshort-circuit, GPIO 151 detects 0 (zero) as the output of the seventhsignal (SIG) terminal of the LAN cable on common trigger box 100 side.Before a short-circuit occurs between the seventh signal (SIG) terminalof the LAN cable on the charging stand 200 side and the eighth ground(GND) terminal, GPIO 151 detects the power supply voltage VCC.Accordingly, processor 110 of common trigger box 100 can appropriatelydetermine whether or not wearable camera 10 is connected to chargingstand 200, depending on whether the output of GPIO 151 is the powersupply voltage VCC or 0 (zero).

Next, the operation procedure of the communication setting process (forexample, pairing) between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100in Exemplary embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 13.FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating in detail the operationprocedure regarding pairing between wearable camera 10 and commontrigger box 100 in Exemplary embodiment 3. In the process of FIG. 13,the same step numbers are given to the same processes as the processesof FIG. 10 or FIG. 11B, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 13, when the button for pairing of wearable camera 10 (that is,wireless registration switch SW5) is pressed by the police officer (S21a), wearable camera 10 transitions to the registration mode (that is, anoperation mode for executing the communication setting process (forexample, pairing) with common trigger box 100), and starts themeasurement of a timer (not shown) (S211). The timer is used to performmeasurement from the start time to the end time of the registration modeperiod in wearable camera 10.

After step S211, it is assumed that wearable camera 10 is set oncharging stand 200 (S29). After a predetermined time (for example, fiveseconds) has elapsed from the start of measurement of the timer in stepS211 (S212), wearable camera 10 assumes that common trigger box 100detects the setting of wearable camera 10 on charging stand 200, andperforms the process of step S23.

On the other hand, if it is detected that wearable camera 10 is set oncharging stand 200 based on the output of GPIO 151, common trigger box100 transitions to the registration mode (that is, the operation modefor executing the communication setting process (for example, pairing)with wearable camera 10) (S221), similar to wearable camera 10. Further,common trigger box 100 starts measurement of a timer (not shown) (S222).The timer is built in for example, processor 110 and is used to measurefrom the start time to the end time of the registration mode period incommon trigger box 100. As shown in FIG. 13, the registration modeperiod of wearable camera 10 is longer than the registration mode periodof common trigger box 100. This is because a certain time is requiredfor common trigger box 100 to detect that wearable camera 10 is set oncharging stand 200 and wearable camera 10 is set to be longerconsidering the certain time (for example, five seconds). After the stepS222, common trigger box 100 waits for reception of a registrationrequest transmitted from the wearable camera 10.

In steps S23 to S27, a communication setting process (for example,pairing) between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 isperformed. After step S26, wearable camera 10 determines that themeasurement of the timer has ended, and releases the registration mode(S213). Similarly, common trigger box 100 determines that themeasurement of the timer has ended, and releases the registration mode(S223). Thus, wearable camera 10 and common trigger box 100 can startwireless communication using BLE communication (S28).

As described above, in communication system 1000 of Exemplary embodiment3, in a case of being connected with common trigger box 100 by a wire(for example, a LAN cable) and being connected with charging stand 200that charges wearable camera 10, wearable camera 10 starts thecommunication setting process (for example, pairing) with common triggerbox 100 by wired communication (LAN communication) through chargingstand 200. Common trigger box 100 detects that wearable camera 10 isconnected to charging stand 200, and starts the communication settingprocess (for example, pairing) with wearable camera 10 by wiredcommunication (LAN communication) through charging stand 200.

This allows the police officer to execute the communication settingprocess of wireless communication (for example, pairing) throughcharging stand 200 between wearable camera 10 and common trigger box100, with a simple operation such as setting wearable camera 10 oncharging stand 200, even if the police officer dose not purposely openthe trunk of police vehicle 7 and does not press switch 170 of commontrigger box 100. That is, the labor of the police officer of thecommunication setting process (for example, pairing) between wearablecamera 10 and common trigger box 100 can be significantly reduced. Inaddition, since it can be detected that wearable camera 10 is set oncharging stand 200, common trigger box 100 can perform the communicationsetting process, and can charge battery 25 of wearable camera 10 throughcharging stand 200.

Wearable camera 10 further includes wireless registration switch SW5 forinstructing the start of the communication setting process (for example,pairing), and starts the communication setting process (for example,pairing) with common trigger box 100 by wired communication (LANcommunication) after lapse of a predetermined time (for example, fiveseconds) from the execution of the press operation on wirelessregistration switch SW5.

Thus, since wearable camera 10 can start the communication settingprocess (for example, pairing) after a lapse of a certain time requiredfor common trigger box 100 to detect that wearable camera 10 has beenset on charging stand 200, the communication setting process can bestarted smoothly without waste with common trigger box 100.

(Process Leading to Exemplary Embodiment 4)

A wearable camera often continues capturing during police officers' work(for example, during patrolling, or when rushing to the field ofincident and dealing with various measures at the field of incident).Therefore, the capacity consumption of the battery of the wearablecamera is large, and charging the battery of the wearable camera usedroutinely by the police officer is an urgent and important problem. Forcharging the wearable camera, for example, the following two methods areconceivable. A first charging method is a method of connecting a cigarcharger for charging (not shown) installed in the police vehicle, to thewearable camera. A second charging method is a method of connecting thein-vehicle PC for editing and the wearable camera for adding attributeinformation to the captured image of the wearable camera, with a USBcable.

According to the first charging method, since a large capacity (forexample, 2 ampere (A)) of current is supplied from the cigar charger,high speed charging of the wearable camera is possible. However, withthe first charging method, there is a problem that the police officercannot perform an editing process such as adding attribute informationon the data of the captured image of the wearable camera during chargingof the wearable camera.

On the other hand, in the second charging method, since the currentsupplied from the USB 2.0 port of the in-vehicle PC is up to 500milliamperes (mA), there is a problem that it takes too much time tocomplete charging compared with charging using the cigar charger.

In the case where a wearable camera is connected to an in-vehicle PCwith an intend to pick up a large current, there is a problem that asafety circuit in the in-vehicle PC operates and it is not possible tocharge the wearable camera, and as well as not to perform USBcommunication. Therefore, in the case where the wearable camera isconnected to the in-vehicle PC, it is usual to design so as to pick upthe current only up to 500 milliamperes (mA).

Exemplary embodiment 4

Thus, in Exemplary embodiment 4, an example of charging stand 200 andcommunication system 1000 will be described, indicating a state wherethe current from the external battery (for example, the above-mentionedcigar charger or an accessory (ACC)) is supplied and wearable camera 10is being charged, and a state where the USB port of the in-vehicle PCand wearable camera 10 are connected, in-vehicle PC 32 capable ofvarious types of editing processes on the data of the captured image ofwearable camera 10 and wearable camera 10 are being connected.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an example of theinternal configuration of charging stand 200 in Exemplary embodiment 4.Charging stand 200 shown in FIG. 14 is configured to include powerswitch controller 210, USB switch controller 220, USB/LAN signalconverter 230, switch 240, connectors 250, 251, 252, and 253, and LEDs260 and 270. LEDs 260 and 270 are disposed on the upper side surface ofa casing (not shown) of charging stand 200 so as to be exposed in avertically upward direction. Therefore, in the case where charging stand200 is disposed at, for example, the default position (for example, inthe vicinity of the center console) of police vehicle 7, the policeofficer can check instantaneously the states of LEDs 260 and 270 ofcharging stand 200 by simply seeing the bottom of the center console.

In the case where only the supply current (for example, 2 ampere (A))from the external battery (for example, a cigar charger or an ACC)connected to the cable (not shown) connected to connector 250 issupplied, accordingly, power switch controller 210 as an example of thepower controller is supplied with the current supplied from connector250 through connector 253, and charges connected wearable camera 10.Wearable camera 10 charges battery 25 based on the supply current frompower switch controller 210 (that is, the supply current from theexternal battery).

In the case where only the supply current (for example, 2 ampere (A))from common trigger box 100 connected to the LAN cable (for example, astraight cable) connected to connector 251 is supplied to power switchcontroller 210, accordingly, power switch controller 210 is suppliedwith the current supplied from connector 251 through connector 253, andcharges connected wearable camera 10. Wearable camera 10 charges battery25 based on the supply current from power switch controller 210 (thatis, the supply current from common trigger box 100).

In the case where only the supply current (for example, 500 milliamperes(mA)) from in-vehicle PC 32 connected to the USB cable (for example, USB2.0 cable) connected to connector 252 is supplied, accordingly, powerswitch controller 210 is supplied with the current supplied fromconnector 252 through connector 253, and charges connected wearablecamera 10. Wearable camera 10 charges battery 25 based on the supplycurrent from power switch controller 210 (that is, the supply currentfrom in-vehicle PC 32).

Power switch controller 210 charges wearable camera 10 connected throughconnector 253, with priority over the supply current from the externalbattery (for example, a cigar charger or an ACC) connected to a cable(not shown) connected to connector 250, or the supply current fromcommon trigger box 100 connected to a LAN cable connected to connector251. In other words, if the external battery or common trigger box 100and in-vehicle PC 32 are connected to charging stand 200, charging stand200 charges wearable camera 10, with priority over the supply currentfrom the external battery or common trigger box 100. Thus, chargingstand 200 can charge wearable camera 10 at a high speed. In a case wherethe connection with the external battery or common trigger box 100 isnot detected and only the connection with in-vehicle PC 32 is detected,charging stand 200 charges wearable camera 10, based on the supplycurrent from in-vehicle PC 32.

Upon receiving the supply current from the external battery (forexample, a cigar chatter or an ACC) through connector 250, or fromcommon trigger box 100 through connector 251, power switch controller210 blinks LED 260 in order to notify the police officer that chargingis possible by current being supplied from the charging power source(for example, a cigar charger, an ACC, and common trigger box 100) ofwearable camera 10 (in other words, it is being charged).

USB switch controller 220 as an example of a data controller hasselector 221. USB switch controller 220 detects through connector 253that wearable camera 10 has been set on charging stand 200. In a casewhere it is detected that wearable camera 10 is set on the chargingstand 200, the USB switch controller 220 outputs various datatransmitted from wearable camera 10 (for example, data of capturedimages during patrolling or the field of incident), to the USB/LANsignal converter 230 or the connector 252, according to the selection bythe selector 221, depending on the state of the switch 240 (that is,either LAN communication or USB communication).

In a case of detecting that wearable camera 10 is set on charging stand200, USB switch controller 220 turns on LED 270 to notify the policeofficer that data communication with in-vehicle PC 32 is possible.

USB/LAN signal converter 230 converts the format of various datatransmitted from in-vehicle PC 32 from the format for USB communicationto the format for LAN communication, and outputs it to connector 251.

The switch 240 is for example, a push button switch, which is providedfor switching between USB communication (for example, communication within-vehicle PC 32) and LAN communication (for example, communication withcommon trigger box 100). Switch 240 indicates either a USB communicationuse or a LAN communication use by a selection operation by the policeofficer, and outputs a signal corresponding to any one of the uses toUSB switch controller 220.

Connector 250 as an example of the first connection detector detectsconnection with an external battery (for example, a cigar charger or anACC). Connector 250 receives the supply current (for example, maximum 2A) from an external battery (for example, a cigar charger or an ACC)connected to a cable (not shown) connected to connector 250. The supplycurrent is input to power switch controller 210.

Connector 251 as an example of the first connection detector detectsconnection with common trigger box 100. Connector 251 receives thesupply current (for example, maximum 2 A) from common trigger box 100connected to the LAN cable (for example, a cross cable) connected toconnector 251. The supply current is input to power switch controller210.

Connector 252 as an example of the second connection detector detectsconnection with in-vehicle PC 32 capable of editing the data of wearablecamera 10. Connector 252 receives the supply current (for example,maximum 500 mA) from in-vehicle PC 32 connected to the USB cable (forexample, USB 2.0 cable) connected to connector 252. The supply currentis input to power switch controller 210.

Connector 253 detects that wearable camera 10 has been set on chargingstand 200. The detection signal is input to USB switch controller 220.

LED 260 as an example of the first notifier is turned in response to acontrol signal from power switch controller 210 in order to notify thepolice officer that high-speed charging is possible by current supplyfrom a charging power supply (for example, a cigar charger, an ACC, orcommon trigger box 100) of wearable camera 10 (in a case where wearablecamera 10 is inserted, it is being charged at a high speed).

LED 270 as an example of the second notifier is turned in response to acontrol signal from USB switch controller 220 in order to notify thepolice officer that data communication between wearable camera 10 andin-vehicle PC32 is possible because wearable camera 10 is set oncharging stand 200. The lighting condition of LED 270 is that switch 240selects a PC. Detection of the USB signal (that is, a signal to use USBcommunication, transmitted from a USB port of in-vehicle PC 32) fromin-vehicle PC 32 through connector 252 by USB switch controller 220 isadded to the lighting condition of LED 270. The lighting condition ofLED 270 may be such that charging stand 200 detects the supply of thepower (in other words, supply current) from in-vehicle PC 32 to powerswitch controller 210 through connector 252, instead of detecting theUSB signal (see above) from in-vehicle PC 32. It is possible to obtainthe same effect even by combining any one or a plurality of conditionsamong the lighting conditions of LEDs 270 described above.

Next, the operation procedure of charging stand 200 in Exemplaryembodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating in detail an example of an operationprocedure of charging stand 200 in Exemplary embodiment 4. FIG. 16 is atable illustrating an example of an operation procedure of chargingstand 200 illustrated in FIG. 15.

In FIG. 15, charging stand 200 determines whether or not there is “Powerinput of (1)” shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 16 (that is, current supply froman external battery or common trigger box 100) (S31). In a case where itis determined that there is “Power input of (1)” (YES in S31), chargingstand 200 charges wearable camera 10 (S32), with priority over “Powerinput of (1)” (that is, current supply from the external battery orcommon trigger box 100), regardless of the presence or absence of “Powerinput of (2)”, and turns on LED 260 corresponding to LED 1 (S33). In acase where it is determined that there is no “Power input of (1)” (NO inS31), the process of charging stand 200 proceeds to step S34.

That is, charging stand 200 determines whether or not there is “Powerinput of (2)” (that is, current supply from the USB port of in-vehiclePC 32) (S34). In a case where it is determined that there is “Powerinput of (2)” (that is, current supply from the USB port of in-vehiclePC 32) (YES in S34), charging stand 200 supplies of “Power input of (2)”to wearable camera 10 (S35). However, since the current value suppliedfrom in-vehicle PC 32 is insufficient for the high-speed charging ofwearable camera 10, charging stand 200 does not turn on LED 260corresponding to LED 1 (S36). On the other hand, in a case where it isdetermined that there is no “Power input of (2)” (NO in S34), chargingstand 200 does not supply current to wearable camera 10 (S37), and alsodoes not turn on LED 260 corresponding to LED 1 (S38).

With respect to lighting determination of LED 270 corresponding to LED2, charging stand 200 determines whether or not the switch 240 of FIG.14 is set to LAN (S39). In a case where switch 240 is set to LAN (YES inS39), charging stand 200, since wearable camera 10 is not connected tocommon trigger box 100 and is not connected to in-vehicle PC32, chargingstand 200 does not turn on LED 270 corresponding to LED 2 (S40).

In a case where switch 240 of FIG. 14 is not set to LAN (that is, it isset to a PC) (NO in S39), charging stand 200 determines whether or notthere is “Power input of (2)” (S41). In a case where it is determinedthat there is no “Power input of (2)” (NO in S41), charging stand 200does not turn on LED 270 corresponding to LED 2 (S42). On the otherhand, in a case where it is determined that there is “Power input of(2)” (YES in S41), charging stand 200 turns on LED 270 corresponding toLED 2 (S43). Note that the process of step S41 may be omitted.

As described above, in communication system 1000 of Exemplary embodiment4, in a case where the connection with the external battery (forexample, a cigar charger or an ACC) or common trigger box 100 isdetected, charging stand 200 charges wearable camera 10, based on thesupply current (first supply current) from the external battery orcommon trigger box 100, and notifies the police officer that wearablecamera 10 is being charged based on the supply current by turning on LED260. In a case where the connection with in-vehicle PC32 is detected,charging stand 200 notifies the police officer that wearable camera 10and in-vehicle PC32 are connected so that data communication is possible(in other words, the data of wearable camera 10 is editable inin-vehicle PC32) by turning on LED 270.

Thus, charging stand 200 can have the police officer accuratelydetermine whether or not wearable camera 10 can be charged, by turningon LED 260, only when the external battery or a large capacity of power(current) of common trigger box 100 is supplied to charging stand 200.Since LED 270 is turned on only when connection with in-vehicle PC 32 isdetected, charging stand 200 clearly indicates to the police officerthat wearable camera 10 and in-vehicle PC 32 can communicate with eachother.

Further, even in a case where any one of connections with an externalbattery (for example, a cigar charger or an ACC) or common trigger box100 and connection with in-vehicle PC32 is detected, charging stand 200charges wearable camera 10, with priority over the supply current fromthe external battery or common trigger box 100. Thus, since chargingstand 200 can charge wearable camera 10 based on the charging currentfrom the external battery or common trigger box 100 which can receivethe supply of a large capacity of current for charging, high-speedcharging is possible.

While various embodiments have been described with reference to thedrawings, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is notlimited to such an example. It is apparent to those skilled in the artthat changes and modifications are conceivable within the scopedescribed in the claims, and it would be appreciated that thosenaturally belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.Further, within the scope not deviating from the gist of the disclosure,respective constituent elements in the above embodiments may arbitrarilybe combined.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable camera capable of being worn orpossessed by a user, comprising: an image capture device, which, inoperation, images a subject in front of the user; a processor; a firstmemory which, in operation, at least temporarily stores firstcommunication setting information used for communication, based on afirst communication setting process, with an in-vehicle communicationdevice that is installed in a vehicle on which the user rides; and asecond memory which, in operation, stores a program that, when executedby the processor, causes the wearable camera to: perform the firstcommunication setting process, the first communication setting processestablishing a communication connection between the wearable camera andthe in-vehicle communication device; delete the first communicationsetting information from the first memory after a lapse of a certaintime from a timer reset, the timer reset occurring in response toestablishment of the communication connection between the wearablecamera and the in-vehicle communication device; and notify that thefirst communication setting information is not stored in the firstmemory, in response to determining that the first communication settinginformation is not stored in the first memory.
 2. The wearable camera ofclaim 1, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, causes thewearable camera to: one or more of: illuminate a light emitting devicethat indicates the first communication setting information is not storedin the first memory, in response to determining that the firstcommunication setting information is not stored in the first memory;cause a vibrator to vibrate in a pattern that indicates the firstcommunication setting information is not stored in the first memory, inresponse to determining that the first communication setting informationis not stored in the first memory; and cause a sound output device tooutput a sound that indicates the first communication settinginformation is not stored in the first memory, in response todetermining that the first communication setting information is notstored in the first memory.
 3. The wearable camera of claim 1, whereinthe program, when executed by the processor, causes the wearable camerato: notify that the first communication setting process is notperformed, in a case where the first communicator receives a signaltransmitted from the in-vehicle communication device.
 4. A communicationsystem comprising: a wearable camera capable of being worn or possessedby a user; and an in-vehicle communication device mounted in a vehicleon which the user rides, the wearable camera and the in-vehiclecommunication device, in operation, communicate with each other, whereinthe wearable camera, in operation, images a subject in front of theuser, performs a first communication setting process that establishes acommunication connection between the wearable camera and the in-vehiclecommunication device, at least temporarily stores in a first memory,first communication setting information used for communication with thein-vehicle communication device, based on the first communicationsetting process, deletes the first communication setting informationfrom the first memory, after a lapse of a certain time from a timerreset, the timer reset occurring in response to establishment of thecommunication connection between the first communicator and thein-vehicle communication device, and notifies that the firstcommunication setting information is not stored in the first memory, inresponse to determining that the first communication setting informationis not stored in the first memory, and wherein the in-vehiclecommunication device, in operation, performs a second communicationsetting process that establishes a communication connection between thein-vehicle communication device and the wearable camera, stores in asecond memory, second communication setting information used forcommunication with the wearable camera, based on the secondcommunication setting process, receives the captured image of thesubject transmitted from the wearable camera using the secondcommunication setting information stored in the second memory, andstores the received image in the second memory.
 5. The communicationsystem of claim 4, wherein the wearable camera includes a firstindicator, which, in operation, instructs to start the firstcommunication setting process, and the wearable camera starts the firstcommunication setting process with the in-vehicle communication device,in response to an operation on the first indicator, and wherein thein-vehicle communication device includes a second indicator thatinstructs to start the second communication setting process, and thein-vehicle communication device starts the second communication settingprocess with the wearable camera by narrowing a communication coveragearea, in response to an operation on the second indicator.
 6. Thecommunication system of claim 4, further comprising: a charging device,wherein the wearable camera starts the first communication settingprocess with the in-vehicle communication device through the chargingdevice in a wired communication manner, in a case where the wearablecamera is connected to the charging device that is connected to thein-vehicle communication device in a wired manner and charges thewearable camera, and wherein the in-vehicle communication device startsthe second communication setting process with the wearable camerathrough the charging device in a wired communication manner, in a casewhere the wearable camera is connected to the charging device.
 7. Thecommunication system of claim 4, further comprising: a charging device,wherein the wearable camera starts the first communication settingprocess with the in-vehicle communication device through the chargingdevice in a wired communication manner, in a case where the wearablecamera is connected to the charging device that is connected to thein-vehicle communication device in a wired manner and charges thewearable camera, and wherein the in-vehicle communication device detectsthat the wearable camera is connected to the charging device, and startsthe second communication setting process with the wearable camerathrough the charging device in a wired communication manner.
 8. Thecommunication system of claim 7, wherein the wearable camera includes afirst indicator, which, in operation, instructs to start the firstcommunication setting process, and the wearable camera starts the firstcommunication setting process with the in-vehicle communication devicein the wired communication manner, after a lapse of a predetermined timefrom execution of an operation on the first indicator.
 9. Thecommunication system according to claim 4, wherein the firstcommunication setting information includes an address of the in-vehiclecommunication device and an encryption key.
 10. The communication systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the first communication settinginformation includes a service set identifier (SSID) of the in-vehiclecommunication device and an encryption key.
 11. The wearable cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the first communication settinginformation includes an address of the in-vehicle communication deviceand an encryption key.
 12. The wearable camera according to claim 1,wherein the first communication setting information includes a serviceset identifier (SSID) of the in-vehicle communication device and anencryption key.
 13. The wearable camera of claim 1, wherein theprocessor transmits an instruction of recording to the in-vehiclecommunication device.
 14. The communication system of claim 4, whereinthe wearable camera transmits an instruction of recording to thein-vehicle communication device.
 15. A method in a system including awearable camera capable of being worn or possessed by a user and anin-vehicle camera system mounted on a vehicle on which the user rides,the method comprising: capturing, by the wearable camera, an image;performing, by the wearable camera, a first communication settingprocess that establishes a communication connection between the wearablecamera and an in-vehicle communication device installed in the vehicle;storing, by the wearable camera, in a memory of the wearable camera,first communication setting information used for communication with thein-vehicle communication device based on the first communication settingprocess; deleting, by the wearable camera, the first communicationsetting information from the memory after a lapse of a certain time froma timer reset, the timer reset occurring in response to establishment ofthe communication connection between the wearable camera and thein-vehicle communication device; and providing, by the wearable camera,a notification that the first communication setting information is notstored in the memory, in response to determining that the firstcommunication setting information is not stored in the memory.
 16. Themethod according to claim 15, wherein the first communication settinginformation includes an address of the in-vehicle communication deviceand an encryption key.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein thefirst communication setting information includes a service setidentifier (SSD) of the in-vehicle communication device and anencryption key.
 18. The method according to claim 15, further comprisingtransmitting, by the wearable camera, an instruction of recording to thein-vehicle communication device.